ANALYTICAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES. 



[Adapted to the New Zealand Genera] 



This Key is intended to help beginners in naming a bird, by direct- 

 ing them to the family to wliieh it belongs. To nse it, begin at 1 

 on the left hand, and then follow to the nnmber indicated on the 

 descriptive line that answers to the specimen nnder examination. 



^ Toes iinited by a membrane 



1 s Toes margined with a broad membrane 

 (.Toes free, without a membrane 



('Toes, lliree before and one beliind 



2 < Toes, two before and two behind ... • ... 

 (.Toes, three before and none behind 



„ ( Hind toe on the same level as the others 

 ^ Hind toe elevated above the others 



, f Bill hooked ; claws tci'j sharp 

 ( Bill straight or curved ; claws moderate or blunt 



► f Legs naked 

 ^ Legs feathered ... ... ... ... 



P f Legs very short 

 ' ^ Legs moderate or long ... 



,^ f Bill short and weak 

 \ Bill long and strong 



(■Bill strong and conical ... ... ... 



8 j Bill soft, swollen at the base 

 (. Bill weak or curved ... ... ... 



f Bill, long, straight 

 (Bill, ' 



short, very strong ... 



.. . f Legs and neck very long 

 ( Legs and neck moderate 



^ Nostrils exposed 

 11 < Nostrils covered by projecting feathers 

 (. Nostrils covered by a scale 



2^ f Tongue with a brush or fringe at the tip 

 "' \ Tongue smooth at the tip 



* "Strep^ilas" has a hind toe ; " Himantopus" lias none. 



